Drexel women overcome shooting woes to advance in WNIT
The Dragons’ 54 points were their fewest in a win this season, but they held off Norfolk State.
Mark this one down as an ugly win for Drexel, but the Dragons will take it.
Drexel overcame a difficult shooting performance to defeat visiting Norfolk State, 54-47, and advance to the second round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament on Thursday night.
The Dragons’ 54 points were their fewest in a win this season and their 31% field goal percentage was well below their 43% average. Drexel’s defensive effort deserved credit for the victory as its opponents were held to 32% from the field and 13% from three-point range.
Drexel head coach Amy Mallon was impressed with the way the Dragons responded after they dropped the CAA Championship to Delaware on Sunday and missed a chance to return to the NCAA Tournament.
“I’ve said all year long, this team is tough,” Mallon said. “We’ve found ways to win and the end result Sunday wasn’t what we wanted, but I also think when you talk about tough teams, real tough teams go back in and they find a way, and I thought our team got back up and they went right back at it.”
Washington keeps scoring
Senior guard Keishana Washington continued her stellar season on Thursday night. Washington reached double digits in scoring for the Dragons in all 31 games before the WNIT began and that didn’t stop against Norfolk State.
Washington finished with 16 points, four fewer than her average of 19.7 points a game, which had her at No. 23 in the NCAA this season. The All-CAA first team senior was the lone Dragon to do any real damage during the first half and helped Drexel stay ahead of Norfolk State despite its early shooting struggles.
It took Washington several shots to get her points, which is something she’s been accustomed to this season. Washington was No. 7 in the NCAA in field goal attempts and 10th in made shots and it was more of the same on Thursday. Washington made 5 of 14 shots and added to that with seven free throw attempts.
Taking care of the ball
Something had to give when two of the sport’s top teams in taking care of the ball and taking it away shared the court.
Drexel entered the game No. 3 in the NCAA in fewest turnovers per game with 11.1 per game and fourth in assist to turnover ratio, while Norfolk State was No. 4 in the NCAA in steals per game at 12.5.
The Dragons were dragged into the Spartans’ style of play and gave the ball up more than usual. Drexel turned the ball over 15 times and Norfolk State had seven steals which led to 13 points.
“I think they really pressured our guards and used their length they did have in their matchups and made it hard for us to make those passes that we thought were there,” Mallon said. “I think we started getting a feel for what they were trying to do. Once I saw that in the third quarter, I felt we were definitely getting more comfortable.”
Three turnovers for Drexel in the first three minutes led to early points for Norfolk State and derailed any early rhythm for the Dragons as they shot 18% in the first quarter.